Groupe Montoni and Legault Group have started construction on an automated distribution centre in the Mascouche CentrOparc to service Legault's Mondou chain of pet supply stores.

The development represents an investment of over $90 million.

The facility will be located in Mascouche, an off-island suburb of Montreal, and will be equally owned by the partners and built by Groupe Montoni. 

It will span nearly 400,000 square feet and is part of the final phase of the CentrOparc business district. It is to be operational by 2025.

“Montoni is happy to be contributing to the success of a proudly local company and to be playing an active role in the economic development of the Lanaudière region with the completion of the CentrOparc in Mascouche," Dario Montoni, Groupe Montoni president, said in Tuesday's announcement.

"We are particularly proud of our success in creating a dynamic ecosystem that has helped create more than 700 jobs locally, with the likes of St-Hubert, Desjardins, EEGT, Buanderie Blanchelle, Jacmar, EMJ, Ménagez-vous, Bicycles Quilicot and now Mondou setting up operations there."

Laval, Que.-based Montoni has a portfolio of close to 500 projects representing more than 20 million square feet of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction, 30 head offices and another 22 million square feet under development.

The Montoni/Legault automated warehouse

Anjou, Que.-based Legault Group is a vertically integrated family business specializing in the manufacture, distribution and sale of pet food and treats. Its brand portfolio includes Mondou and Ren's Pets as well as several proprietary brands.

The Mascouche CentrOparc is a 1.6 million-square-foot business park at the crossroads of Highways 25 and 640, first launched by Montoni in fall 2018. The land was formerly occupied by the Mascouche airport.

The Mondou facility is being designed by Toronto-based NEUF architect(e)s and will aim for LEED Silver certification.

Aside from the warehouse and distribution centre, it will consist of office spaces on two floors and be equipped with a dog park.

"This state-of-the-art automated centre will ensure the development of our distribution capacity in the decades to come," Marie-France Legault, co-owner and director of corporate affairs for the Legault Group, said in the announcement.

"With automated systems providing a robust operational infrastructure, we will be in a position to achieve our ambitions while improving our employees' well-being and their workplace, ensuring that it is optimal both for supplying Mondou stores and satisfying customers who prefer to shop online."

All jobs at Legault’s existing Anjou distribution centre will be maintained, the company said.